There are times when the present morphs into the future slowly. You didn’t have a vast collection of CDs one day then own nothing but digital tracks the next. The conversion happened over months or years, until eventually you stopped even glancing at the CD rack when tracking down your favorite song.

Cardinals running back David Johnson didn’t burst onto the scene as soon as he arrived in Arizona; over the course of the 2015 season, his role in the offense grew methodically. It wasn’t until the end of the season that he absorbed the primary RB duties.

Other times, change happens instantly. There is a clear line of demarcation. When Rams quarterback Trent Green went down in 1999, unknown Kurt Warner stepped in and was an instant success. There was no transition period. Boom! It just happened.

Which path Derrick Henry takes on his path to the Titans’ featured RB role will be determined by the severity of DeMarco Murray’s hamstring problem. But know this for certain: Henry’s ascension is an inevitability.

This isn’t just an issue rooted in draft capital — the Titans used a 2016 second-round pick to obtain him. It is partly, but not completely, about age vs. youth, because youth normally wins at the RB spot. This is mostly about production and health. And right now, Henry has both and Murray has neither.

With Murray hampered by a hamstring problem, Henry dominated the workload in the second half of Sunday’s 37-16 thrashing of the Jaguars. He racked up 92 yards on 14 carries with a touchdown – against the same Jaguars defense that looked so impressive in Week 1 at Houston. Murray finished with nine carries for 25 yards.

For the season, Murray has 21 carries for 69 yards, as well as three receptions for 19 yards. Henry has 20 carries for 117 yards and a TD. So not only is Murray dealing with a sore hammy, he is getting crushed by Henry in terms of effectiveness – with Murray averaging 3.3 yards per carry and Henry 5.9.

It makes the decision for the Titans much easier. Though coach Mike Mularkey said Monday that he still views Murray as the starter, they have all the factors in place to employ a predictable path to a Henry takeover.

Step 1: Keep Murray, listed as day-to-day, sidelined while he deals with the hamstring, even if he normally would be healthy enough to play. Use the whole “not until he is 100 percent” routine. Step 2: Henry takes over the feature role in Murray’s absence and performs well. Step 3: When Murray returns, his job has been filled by a younger, more productive rusher.

This, or something similar, is just one scenario, so don’t dive head-first into pursuit of Henry without also realizing the possibility of an eventual even split. But whatever the future holds, Henry will have a larger role in it.

Right now, we’re trying harder to get rid of Murray than we are trying to acquire Henry. Don’t overpay and don’t oversell, but do realize, the future is approaching.

Sense of relief

Chris CarsonAP

Chris Carson RB, Seahawks

Week 2 was the Carson Show. Seattle’s O-line is miserable, but if you’re investing here, Carson is the guy to have.

Samaje Perine RB, Redskins

Starter Rob Kelley likely will miss at least a couple of weeks with a rib injury. Though Chris Thompson had the popping stats in Week 2, Perine, benched in the preseason for fumbling, will get the volume. Beware the limited efficiency.

Jarvis Landry WR, Dolphins

Many of us were worried about Landry’s target share with Jay Cutler at QB. After 13 receptions on 15 targets, that isn’t a worry anymore. PPR only, friends.

J.J. Nelson WR, Cardinals

Big five-catch, 120-yard day. Will be a factor while John Brown is out, at least another week or more. But in a bad offense, don’t overpay.

Sense of dread

Jordan Howard RB, Bears

Dealing with a shoulder injury. His yards per carry is awful (2.7). He has an explosive upstart looking over his shoulder (Tarik Cohen). Don’t drop him, but do bench.

Brandin CooksAP

Brandin Cooks WR, Patriots

If you have him, stop worrying about his slow start, especially with the way Patriots receivers are dropping. If you don’t, find an impatient owner and buy low.

Amari Cooper WR, Raiders

After a lot of red-zone looks in Week 1, Week 2 was back to Michael Crabtree (three TDs). Too valuable to bench, not valuable enough to trade. Sit tight.

Jamison Crowder WR, Redskins

His start to the season has been uglier than reviews for the Jennifer Lawrence movie “Mother!” But he blossomed while Jordan Reed was banged up last season. Reed is banged up again. Bench but don’t cut Crowder.